Closure for collapsible tubes



Feb. 8, 1938. F. WINKLER CLOSURE FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES Filed 001;. 6,1937 Patented Feb. 8, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ApplicationOctober 6,

3 Claims.

The invention relates to closures of collapsible tubes for containing apaste-like material such as shaving cream and other products of this nature, and particularly concerns a closure that automatically opens uponcompression of the tube in order to effect discharge of the paste, andsimilarly closes upon relaxation of the compression to seal the tube.

The invention has for its object to provide an improved closure of thistype, one that is not only efficient and serviceable but which isinexpensive to, manufacture and can be readily assembled without the aidof tools.

The invention consists essentially in the novel constmction andarrangement of the neck portion of the tube, which is provided with adischarge opening normally closed by a jaw having a rounded boss seatedin a groove in the neck to serve as a hinge. A spring band is secured ono the neck over the hinged portion of the jaw to prevent displacementand leakage. The spring band has a finger or bill that permits thecontents of the tube to discharge on compression of the tube.

The invention will be more clearly understood by reference to theaccompanying drawing in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of the tubeshowing the closure in open position for discharge of paste in aribbon-like form. t

Figure 2 is a cross section taken on line 22 0 Figure 3.

Figure 3 is a lengthwise section of the neck with an adjoining part ofthe tube.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the neck with 35 the closure memberomitted.

Figure 5 is a similar view of the closure memher.

Figure 6 is a similar view of the spring band. Like numerals ofreference indicate correspond- 40 ing parts in each figure of thedrawing.

In the drawing the reference numeral I denotes a conventionalcollapsible tube body having a reduced end portion integral with a neck8 which is forwardly extended from the usual dis- 45 charge passage 8'in order to provide a dispensin opening 9.

In carrying out the invention it is preferred to make the neck of arectangular cross section, as illustrated, so as to provide a bottomwall It), a

top wall I I and side walls n. It will be observed that the bottom wallextends to the front edge of the neck to compose a fixed transverse lipIS. The top wall is terminated short of the lip to furnish thedispensing opening, and the side walls 1937, Serial No. 167,522

are curved so as to-recede from the lip toward the top wall.

The jaw I4 is a rigid plate curved in conformity to the upper edges ofthe side walls and of a width to contiguously engage the inner faces ofthese 6 walls with its side edges snugly contacting said faces, but freeto move relative thereto as required in operation. The jaw is lodged inthe dispensing opening. The front edge forms a transverse lip l5normally engaged with the i0 mating lip i3. The rear edge portion isinwardly enlarged and curved in cross section in the arc of a circle toform a boss it that is seated in a similarly shaped recess l1 formed inthe top wall ii slightly below the top surface thereof.

The boss and the recess hingedly mount the jaw to enable it to open andclose for discharge of paste in ribbon form between the companion lips.

To secure the jaw so that it may open and close a without the use of apintle, a spring band It is employed, which is made of a flat resilientmaterial such as spring steel. The band is split and of a U-shapedconfiguration having a top piece is fitted over the top wall II with anintermeg diate. portion depressed to bear on the boss It to firmlyretain it in its seat and preclude leakage of the paste thereabouts.Side arms 2| extend over the side walls I! and terminate in inwardlycursed hooks 22 that are sprung into recesses 23 in the side wallsrespectively. The arms thus have a clip or latch engagement thatpositively secures the band in place. The recesses may be slightlyinwardly inclined if so desired for the purpose of affording a moresecure grip.

The side walls are preferably supplied with transverse grooves as at 23'that seat the arms 2| and shoulder them so that they not only lie flushwith the outer faces thereof but also are more securely held againstdislodgement. The top piece i9 is constructed integral with a forwardlyextending and inwardly curved bill or spring finger 24 having aninturned front edge that resiliently presses on the forward part of thejaw to hold it closed.

It will be manifest that by means of the aforesaid structure, aserviceable and reliable closure is produced of which the componentparts may readily be assembled by hand in an expeditious manner, andthat upon compression of the body ,0

the flat spring bill will yield to permit parting of the lip of the jawto furnish a discharge orifice through which the paste will emanate.'I'ife spring bill automatically closes the jaw when the pressure isdiscontinued, and the band part of 5 the spring member at all timesretains the hinge ofthe Jaw in firm contact with its seat in the neck.

I claim:

1. In combination, a collapsible tube having a neck and a dischargeorifice opening therethrough, an edge portion of the neck defining saidopening having a lip and an opposite edge portion having a recess oi anarcuate cross section, a jaw closing said opening and having an edgeportion forming a lip engaged with the aforesaid lip and having anopposite edge provided with a boss of a similar cross section to thesaid recess and seated therein to hingedly mount the Jaw on the neckwithout physical connection therewith, and a spring band fitted over theJaw and secured to the neck such as .to retain the boss in the recessand to tension the lip oi the jaw against that of the neck.

2. In combination, a collapsible tube having a neck and a dischargeorifice opening therethrough, an edge portion of the neck defining saidopening having a lip and an opposite edge portion having a recess of anarcuate cross section, a jaw closing said opening and having an edgeportion forming a lip engaged with theaioresaid lip and having anopposite edge provided with a boss oi a similar cross section to thesaid recess and seated therein to hingedly mount the jaw on the neckwithout physical connection therewith, and a flat split band of springmetal fitted over the neck and the Jaw to retain the boss in the recessand in tension the lip of the Jaw against that oi the neck, said bandhaving means 5 providing a latching connection with the neck.

3. In combination, a collapsible tube having a. neck and a dischargeorifice opening therethrough, an edge portion of the neck defining saidopening having a lip and an opposite edge portion having a recess of anarcuate cross section, a jaw closing said opening and having an edgeportion forming a lip engaged with the aforesaid lip and having anopposite edge provided with a boss of a similar cross section to thesaid recess and seated therein to hingedly mount the jaw on the neckwithout physical connection therewith, and a U-shaped fiat' springfitted on the neck and having a bight depressed intermediate of a pair01' arms and bearing on the jaw over-its boss to retain the boss in therecess, said arms straddling the neck and having inturned hook endslodged in recesses therein, and the bight having a finger piece or billextending over the jaw toward its lip and bearing thereon so as tonormally retain the lip closed against that of the neck.

FRIEDRICH ,WINKLER.

